Britain could remain in the European Union until the end of 2019, almost a year longer than anticipated by the British government, according to The Sunday Times newspaper.

The Theresa May-led Conservative government is preparing to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which provides for a two-year period to negotiate cutting off of ties with Brussels.

London has publicly stated that it has no intention of beginning this process until the end of this year or the beginning of 2017, which would fix the date for Brexit at sometime in the beginning of 2019.

However, The Sunday Times claimed in its latest edition that some key ministers have communicated to members of the City of London that they are not ready to begin these negotiations on the scheduled dates.

The newspaper referred to the difficulties in the Brexit team – a special group made by May to negotiate with Brussels – as it is led by the eurosceptic David Davis.

This team also includes International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, who has the task of seeking global trade partners for his country after Britain leaves the EU, and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

The Sunday Times also said that London could delay invoking article 50 until the results of the forthcoming general elections in France, in May next year, and Germany, in September 2017.

In this regard, European Parliament member Nigel Farage, who is also the former leader of the eurosceptic UKIP party, has claimed that the lack of progress could paralyze decision making on immigration, one of the key issues brought forward by Brexit.

He also warned of the danger of thousands of youths getting radicalized and joining extremist organizations if they realize that the government is ignoring the decision taken in the referendum.

However, a spokesperson of the prime minister stressed that May has made it clear that her government’s priority is to respect the decision made by the voters and ensure Brexit is a success. EFE

Dublin, Aug 14 (EFE)